At Holy Cross Primary School we fully recognise our roles and responsibilities for child protection. Our children have the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, race, culture or disability. They have a right to be safe at home,in school and in their communities.

At school, we use consistent, fair and thorough recruitment and selection procedures that aim to deter, reject or identify people who might abuse children and young people and to ensure that those recruited are suitable to work with them. Our Safeguarding policies apply to all staff, governors and volunteers working in our school.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Jo Kingston. 

The Deputy Safeguarding Leads are Emma Stroud (Deputy Head Teacher), Emily Hunt (SENDCO), Karen Douglas (Pastoral Care Lead) and Brogan Sims (Admin Manager).

Our Safeguarding Governor is Mrs Angela Serjeant. 

(Mrs Hunt and Miss Sims are currently on maternity leave.)

School Safeguarding Procedures

Children have the right to feel safe and to share their worries with trusted adults.

At Holy Cross we follow the NSPCC Speak out Stay safe programme to help the children identify when they need help.

• If a member of staff has a concern that a child has been mistreated, either physically, emotionally, sexually or by neglect, they must report the matter immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Mrs Kingston) or in her absence the Deputy Safeguarding Leads (Miss Stroud, Mrs Hunt, Mrs Douglas or Miss Sims)

• The member of staff will keep the matter confidential to as few people as need to know. If there is anyone who needs to be informed, the designated teacher will ensure this happens. Confidentiality is crucial.

• The member of staff will write an accurate record of what has disclosed by the child or been noticed and upload onto the CPOMS system. This has the date and time of the incident or disclosure. This information may be used to make a referral to the relevant agencies as necessary. Referrals can be made to social care, family help, CAMHS and the police amongst others. 

• If the Designated Safeguarding Lead decides to make referral to Social Care or is instructed by Social Care to make a referral, this will be discussed with the family. This will be done as long as such discussion and agreement seeking will not place a child at increased risk of significant harm. We will always contact the Social Care Team for advice if we are unsure about the best way to proceed with any concerns. There may be occasions when school does not discuss the referral with the family until advised to do so by a social worker.

• The Social Care Department and the Police have a duty to investigate cases of suspected abuse.  As a school we have a duty to co-operate with any such investigation.  This might involve providing information, monitoring the child, or attending a Team Around the Child Meeting or Child Protection Conference.

We have a range of Safeguarding Policies which can be found on our Policy page. 

'The process of protecting children from abuse or neglect, preventing impairment of their health and development, and ensuring they are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care that enables children to have optimum life chances and enter childhood successfully.'

(Taken from ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ 2006, HM Government)

Parents/Carers:

Are you worried about your own or someone else’s child?

As well as the numbers/e mail addresses below, you can ring First Response for help or support.

The number is  0117 903 6444

Out of hours, you can call the emergency duty team on 01454 615165 or 999

Pupils:

Do you feel unsafe?

As well as the numbers and e mails below, you can ring ChildLine on  0800 1111

Or First Response 0117 903 6444 and press option 0.

Out of hours, you can call the emergency duty team on 01454 615165 or 999

Out of hours school safeguarding support is available:

If you need support or advice in the evenings, weekends or holidays, please contact the school by one of the following ways:

The school office at holycrossp@bristol-schools.uk

The DSL at headholycrossp@bristol-schools.uk

The DDSLs at their school e mail accounts: estroud@holycross.bristol.sch.uk or kdouglas@holycross.bristol.sch.uk

Or the dedicated safeguarding e mail inbox: safeguarding@holycross.bristol.sch.uk

There is also a school safeguarding number 07384450567 where you can leave or send a message out of school hours and someone will get back to you asap.

As part of the Diocese of Clifton, we also consider their safeguarding requirements: 

Please click on the link below to read Bishop Bosco's message to the Diocese about safeguarding in Clifton

https://cliftondiocese.com/departments/safeguarding